But the 2022 reboot (streaming on Peacock) isn't trying to recapture that lightning in a bottle. It’s trying to strike a different, more inclusive bolt. And for a modern audience, it succeeds in ways the original simply couldn't. Here is why the new series is better.
The 1999 UK Queer as Folk (and 2000 US remake) was revolutionary — showing gay men kissing, using “faggot,” having unapologetic hedonism on network TV. The 2022 reboot benefits from that groundwork but lacks the same shock-of-the-new.
The show centers on a vibrant, multi-racial group of friends.
The landscape of LGBTQ+ television has changed dramatically since Russell T. Davies first brought Queer as Folk to British screens in 1999, followed shortly by the iconic American remake in 2000. For over two decades, those original versions served as foundational texts for queer media, offering unfiltered looks into gay life, friendship, and trauma. However, when Peacock announced a new reimagining of Queer as Folk in 2022, led by Stephen Dunn, skeptics questioned the need to retread familiar ground. queer as folk new series better
, including trans, non-binary, disabled, and racially diverse characters as leads. Modern Identity : It moved away from the "gay archetypes" used in the UK original
The new series doesn’t just add diverse characters; it explores how race, class, and gender identity intersect with sexuality, creating more nuanced and realistic storytelling. 2. Addressing Modern Trauma and Community
The setting provides a unique texture: it is sweaty, Southern, Gothic, and spiritual. This moves the show away from the polished, "clean" aesthetic of modern sitcoms like Modern Family or The L Word: Generation Q . The New Orleans setting allows for storylines involving voodoo, Mardi Gras culture, and a different kind of queer history—one that feels grittier and more organic than the nightclub scenes of the early 2000s. But the 2022 reboot (streaming on Peacock) isn't
The new series gently deconstructs these myths. It asks: What happens when the club is no longer safe? What does sex look like when you are navigating gender dysphoria, physical disability, or emotional trauma? The intimacy in the 2022 version is raw, varied, and sex-positive, but it is also deeply communicative. It explores boundaries, consent, and the evolving language of modern relationships in a way that makes the 2000 version feel starkly dated. The Verdict: A Legacy Misunderstood
: The production prioritized hiring queer actors and creatives for queer roles, including stars like Jesse James Keitel and Ryan O'Connell , which added a layer of lived-in authenticity to the performances.
'Queer As Folk' gets a stiletto-heeled reboot that takes ... - NPR Here is why the new series is better
While nostalgia will always give the original series a special place in television history, the new Queer as Folk is objectively better suited for today’s audience. It trades exclusivity for inclusivity, superficial drama for deep emotional resonance, and a narrow viewpoint for a grand, diverse mosaic of queer life.
: Character Ali, played by wheelchair user Ryan O'Connell, brings vital, rarely seen perspectives on queer disability and sex. Grounded Realism Over Soap Opera Fantasy